President Rodrigo R. Duterte decided Monday night that the Philippines will not be placed under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) pending the vaccine rollout.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the President gave his directive to the Cabinet that the country would “not be placed under MGCQ unless there is a rollout of vaccines”.
“The Chief Executive recognizes the importance of re-opening the economy and its impact on people’s livelihoods. However, the President gives higher premium to public health and safety,” Sec. Roque emphasized.
In a press briefing, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles pointed out that President Duterte and the government recognizes the “urgency of reopening the economy so we can resume the pre-pandemic upward trajectory and sustained growth of the economy”. However, it should be accomplished “side-by-side with measures that will ensure that we do not compromise efforts to contain COVID-19”. Report from Mela Lesmoras
